Spencerville Church

Donate to Help Spencerville Church Rebuild

We're grateful for a community that is asking how they can help us rebuild after the fire on August 9. If you feel impressed to support our rebuilding efforts, please visit https://spencervillechurch.org/rebuild to make a secure donation.

If you're set up on Adventist Giving, you may also submit your donations using the Capital/Rebuild fund at https://spencervillechurch.org/give.

You can also directly help this effort by liking and sharing this post. Thank you for your prayerful support!

Donate to Help Spencerville Church Rebuild After the Fire Spencerville Church sustained significant damage due to a fire on August 9, 2024. Almost immediately we began receiving questions about how people could donate

Fire Causes Severe Damage to Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church

Updated: August 9, 2024 at 11:15 a.m. (EDT)

Earlier this morning, we shared that the Spencerville Church building was on fire. We’re grateful to the Montgomery County Fire Department for their quick response and for expertly extinguishing the flames. Unfortunately, we regret to share that the damage we’ve discovered in the foyer and sanctuary is extensive.

According to the fire crews on scene, the cause of the fire is electrical, and was determined to originate in the audio-visual control booth at the back of the sanctuary. Currently, the exact source of the fire is unknown.

The organ has been severly damaged (pictures below), with virtually no pipes remaining in the front or rear of the sanctuary. The piano was also significantly damaged, and the technical systems for audio and sanctuary video in the audio booth area were destroyed. The roof and ceiling planks were damaged by the fire, with holes cut to allow the fire department access that they could not achieve from within the building. Despite speculation on a cost from some media outlets, no estimates are available yet for the damage, although we have been in contact with our insurance carrier, Adventist Risk Management, regarding next steps.

Spencerville Church will hold Sabbath worship services on August 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, located at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

Chad Stuart, Spencerville Church senior pastor said: “We mourn the loss of the house where the Spencerville family has worshipped our Savior, Jesus Christ for nearly 45 years. But we do not mourn without hope, because we know that worship of Jesus is not limited to a building and that the church is not a place, but it is the collective people of God coming together—believing that out of ashes Jesus gives life and revival. Thank you for your prayers and join us in stepping forward in our grief as we trust in the new thing God will do that we cannot yet see!”

Jerry Lutz, president of the Chesapeake Conference of Seventh-day Adventists said: “We are heartbroken by this devastating loss, but have the assurance that the Lord will lead His people through this difficult time. He will provide, as He always does for His Church.”

Dear Spencerville Church Family,

Just after 1:00 a.m. (ET) on August 9, we were informed that a fire had broken out at the church. Many details are unknown at this point, as it is an active scene being managed by Montgomery County Fire. However, we have staff members on site assisting.

Pastor Chad and I are attending the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, WY, with our families. However, he and Christina are flying back to Maryland on the next available flight. As soon as we have more information about the status of the building and our worship services for this Sabbath, August 10, we will share them via email and through the Spencerville Church Facebook Community Group.

In times like these, we’re reminded that the church is a community of people, not a building. The pastoral team is tearful at the thought of the damage that may have occurred to our community’s beloved church building, but we’re reminded that the building and everything in it belong to God—we are simply the trusted stewards.

Please join us in praying for the safety of those actively working at the church and for Pastor Chad’s and Christina’s safe travel home to Maryland.

We know that God has a plan, and we pray that, above all else, He is glorified through this situation.

Please avoid coming to the church property, as it is not yet safe and assessments will need to be completed by the fire department before allowing anyone onsite.

Sincerely,

Pastor Jason

NEW BOOK LAUNCH // Friend and church member Dr. Frank M Hasel has written another book titled "Love Is!" which recently arrived in bookstores. His previous works, "Longing for God" and "Living for God," have been a blessing to the pastoral staff, and we've shared them broadly! Dr. Hasel did not ask us to promote his book, but if his previous works are any indication, "Love Is!" will be worth your time and will undoubtedly touch the lives of many!

Purchase the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9781666782370&tag=wipfandstoc01-20

Or from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/21568/9781666782370

Description:

"Loss is something everyone experiences in different ways. Love Is! is the moving story of one man's journey of grief, grace, and gratitude following the loss of the person he loved the most, his wife. Frank Hasel shares the unvarnished, painful complexities of dealing with the realities of bereavement and beyond as he grapples to come to terms with the new, unwanted realities of being a young widower and single parent to three boys. It tells of the transformative grace that helps him express gratitude in the most difficult of circumstances. Love doesn't die when the person you love dies. Love endures, but how do you express that love in meaningful and constructive ways? This book is not a self-help manual but rather an invitation to share one man's journey and insights. If you have ever wondered how to help someone struggling with the emotional turmoil created by a significant loss, this book will provide practical insights into what is "helpful help." This is a story for everyone who has ever lost a heart hero, someone they loved dearly . . . and lost themselves in the process! You are not alone!"

THIS SABBATH // "What's the purpose of that framed area in the church foyer?" Two years ago, through the generosity of several anonymous donors, Spencerville Church was given the privilege of commissioning a work of art designed to inspire and remind all who visit Spencerville Church about the powerful love of Jesus Christ. Artist Pavel Kudelich was selected to create a piece inspired by the Sermon on the Mount in the fifth chapter of the Book of Matthew.

This Sabbath afternoon, April 20, at 4:00 p.m., during our Spencerville Evensong Concert Series event, Pastor Chad will share a few words about the Sermon on the Mount along with a short interview with the artist. We invite you to join us for a choral music event featuring piano from our own Mark Di Pinto and internationally renowned clarinetist Luis Enrique Vargas Guevara. After the event, we invite you to stay for a light reception in the Fellowship Hall.

Borisevich Duo Concert – Today, 4 p.m. The predicted snow event came down on the lesser side and the roads and our parking lot are clear. This means we can safely proceed with the planned piano and violin concert to be given by the Borisevich Duo. They’ll be playing a wonderful program of music by Beethoven, Ernest Clausen, Edvard Grie...

PATHFINDER SABBATH // Our pastors for today. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from them. Andrew, Prerna, and Andre (left to right) shared the sermon in both services today. The messages can be found on YouTube by searching for Spencerville Church.

WORSHIP UPDATE // First Service and Sabbath School Canceled for January 20

Due to the icy road conditions and to prioritize the safety of our worship participants and volunteers, the pastoral staff has made the difficult decision to cancel the 9:00 a.m. first service and Sabbath School. However, our second service and 4:00 Evensong Concert will proceed as planned.

We look forward to worshiping with you at 11:30 a.m. at the church, but if that isn’t possible, you can find the link to our online worship service here on Facebook and the church website. Make sure to say hello in the chat if you’re worshiping with us online! 👋

WEATHER UPDATE // Due to the inclement weather and treacherous road conditions this evening, we're moving tonight's 10 Days of Prayer meeting to Zoom. Join us online at 7:00 p.m. (ET) using the link: https://spencervillechurch.org/10days. Please share this and let your friends know! We don't want anyone on the roads who doesn't need to be!

WEATHER UPDATE // Worship services will take place on Sabbath, January 6! However, we always encourage you to drive safely and use your best judgment when traveling. If you're uncomfortable driving in inclement weather, consider joining us online at 11:30 a.m. via our website or YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88iJMsrKKws

UPDATE // The South Foyer Entrance will be Closed on Sabbath, November 18

Our primary goal is the safety of our members and guests. Currently, we have several open construction areas on the south side of the church building. Due to this ongoing work, the south side entrances to the foyer and the east hallway door by the Youth room will be blocked and inaccessible on Sabbath, November 18. Please avoid stepping over or around any areas closed off with caution tape, as these areas have been closed for your safety.

Question: If we usually park on the south side—where should we enter?

We welcome you to continue parking on the south side. However, please note that the only entrance open for access on the south side of the church is the door on the South Porch nearest New Hampshire Avenue (see the first photo below). Please be sure to look for the A-frame sign. The door will be unlocked; however, we ask that you please use this entrance only during transition times and not during the Sabbath School hour or our worship services.

Both entrances on the north side of the building—the choir room entrance and the entrance near the church office will be open. The east hallway entrance by the Youth room will be open but only accessible by the north ramp, as the south ramp and sidewalk are under construction.

We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to reopening south-side access next Sabbath, November 25!

NEWS // Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church is pleased to announce that Erwin Nanasi has prayerfully accepted the call to serve as the Minister of Music. Erwin began his tenure on November 1, 2023. The Spencerville Church pastoral team solicits your prayers for the Nanasi family as they search for housing in a challenging market. They plan to relocate to Maryland by the end of the year. Read the full release: https://mailchi.mp/spencervillesda/erwin-nanasi-hired-minister-of-music

Spencerville Church was privileged to host Dr. Blomstedt for Sabbath worship in February 2020 when his travels brought him to the capital area. You can find the interview with Mark Willey and Costin Jordache on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnHrXIdAFEo Congratulations, Dr. Blomstedt! May God continue to bless your work and ministry!

96-Year-Old Adventist Conductor Wins Important Award | Adventist Review Herbert Blomstedt honored with the Opus Klassik Award for his lifetime’s contributions.

Remembering Nalli S. Krupakara Rao // The Rao family is grieving the sudden loss of their beloved father, Nalli S. Krupakara Rao, who passed away peacefully but unexpectedly on October 14. He is remembered as a man of deep faith, compassion, and kindness to everyone he met. Read the full announcement: https://mailchi.mp/spencervillesda/ooriw97xvf-813705

SEMINAR // Our fall seminar series is underway and after two nights, we can say with confidence that it's been a blessing for those in attendance. How do we know? They've told us! If you haven't made it to the meetings yet, it's not too late! There's no meeting on Sunday evening, October 15, but we'll be back at the church on Monday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. Come and see!